Here you can find out the results from finished research and evaluation projects.

Use and Caregiver Satisfaction with Equipment Provided by the Children's Rehabilitation Foundation

This survey project aimed to assess child and youth use and caregiver satisfaction with equipment funded by CRF. Information obtained from the surveys will be used to improve therapist education about who may benefit from what type of equipment, improve caregiver training on how to use the equipment optimally, and ensure CRF-funded equipment is being used appropriately. This will lead to improved equipment provision and enhanced quality of life for the children and youth who receive equipment.

64 surveys were completed. Results showed that overall families are happy with their equipment, and it is being used for its intended purposes. The equipment helps children and youth with their desired activities and to be independent.

Ongoing work after the project involves working with CRF to provide regular surveys to all families who receive equipment, to provide ongoing feedback.

Parents participated in a parent learning program that blended and enhanced two pre-existing programs (Relate Program and Cooking Club) in order to provide a new, specialized program for parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or developmental delay. The goal of this new learning series is to help parents understand their child’s unique learning style and to give parents the practical tools to become their child’s own best teacher and guide. Evaluations and feedback will be used to improve this new program in the future.

Seven participants completed the training sessions, and all participants were satisfied with the training they received, and thought it was helpful. Participant feedback was used to modify the program.

The Build Your Parenting Toolkit program continues to be offered at RCC. Plans for a larger and longer evaluation are underway.

Engagement of Health Professionals in Clinical Research at a Tertiary Pediatric Facility - Attitudes and Opportunities

The purpose of this study is to gain feedback from child health care professionals working with children (at Children’s Hospital, St Boniface Hospital, and SSCY) about their experiences and opinions regarding clinical research in Manitoba. Through this project the researchers hope to learn more about their research background and current research activities involving children, barriers that may exist to becoming involved with clinical research, and to develop strategies to overcome them.

The vast majority of responders felt research is key to advance patient care and are interested in participating in clinical research, but lack of time was a common barrier. 81% felt that tertiary centres should be leaders in pediatric clinical research. 4% had participated in such research but few have received specific training.

We recommend the strategic plans of HSC/SBGH and Child Health/Women’s Health Programs increase awareness, opportunities and address logistical issues to improve HCPs’ participation in pediatric clinical research. Finally, there is a need to improve awareness and presence of CHRIM and other Foundations supporting child health research within our academic tertiary centres.

This is a follow-up study to one previously conducted in Neonatal Follow-Up at HSC. The main purpose of this observational study is to find out how common developmental delays and disabilities, short bowel syndrome, and death are in children born prematurely and who have a history of complicated belly infections. The developmental delays and disabilities may impact a child’s ability to see, hear, talk, and move. Short bowel syndrome happens when part of the gut has been removed or does not work correctly and can impact a child’s ability to digest food and absorb nutrients.

In Winnipeg, one out of two potential participants completed this follow-up study. Across all sites, 104 participants out of a potential 145 were enrolled.

Specialized Services for Children and Youth (SSCY) is an initiative focused on the integration and, where possible, co-location, of services for Manitoba children and youth with disabilities and special needs.